Women in Polititcs - Part 3 - Interview with Lt. Governor Catherine Baker Knoll
by ROCHELLE A. SHENK

In Pennsylvania we haven't yet had a female governor; however, our current lieutenant governor is a woman. Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll is the first woman elected to that office.

A former school teacher and businesswoman, she previously served as state treasurer. "I'm a product of the Kennedy years--of 'Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.' I became a school teacher because I believed so passionately in public service and that sentiment has stayed with me ever since," she said.

She learned about public service early in life, as her father, Nicholas Baker, was the mayor of McKees Rocks, a Pittsburgh suburb. "My mother was the power behind the throne," she recalls. Her mother and aunts were suffragettes. Knoll has eight other siblings, and they were all involved in the campaigns and learned about volunteerism and community service. At dinner, family members had a discussion of the day's current events-each child had to choose a topic and discuss it and topics could not be duplicated.

Her father loved and respected FDR while her mother loved his wife, Eleanor. "Every Saturday the three youngest children, which included me, would stand in front of the local banks with a cup to collect money for March of Dimes. {The March of Dimes was established in 1938 by FDR}. We were there Saturdays since most people got paid on Friday and went to the bank on Saturday," she recalled.

As an adult, Knoll also volunteered in her community. She has longstanding involvement with the YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, Mom's House, the NAACP, Elder Care Inc., and the Pennsylvania Nature Conservancy. "Politics presented an opportunity to serve even more people and make a lasting impact on the lives of others. I firmly believe that political careers begin in one's heart; they begin in a classroom somewhere because of something a teacher inspires; they begin with the belief that this is a unique country where representative government is a reality; they begin with a determination to make one's community, nation and world a better place," she said.

She and her late husband, Charles, who was a U.S. Postmaster, raised four children, who are all now adult professionals. She noted that she's been deeply involved with politics all her life. "I'm also a student of the three-part school of thought-leadership is power, power changes things and things need changing," she remarked.

She explained that she made the decision to run for treasurer after consulting with some very special women in her life. She then spent a year crossing the state campaigning with her family. "Running for office is tough. You have to be a risk taker, and any woman no matter what she's doing is a risk taker in some way," she said.

To be in politics she also noted that one has to know how to handle pressure, be able to handle having negative things said about you, have confidence in oneself that you'll make changes for the better, bring a desire to run for office and make a change when you get into office.

Knoll always has had a 'support system' that has included her parents and family as well as those in the political arena. She also noted that she's always had top-notch staff as well. "I've been blessed to have a lot of good people giving me solid advice and perspective. It's not easy being a woman in politics, not just in this state but in many others," she said.

She explained that her decision to run for state treasurer was influenced by her business background. "I had a comfort level with executive responsibilities, and the state treasurer's duties seemed to be a natural extension of what I was best equipped to do at the time," she explained. Having said that, she added that she's still fascinated by the give and take characteristics of the legislative life.

"Business taught me to manage money, not just count it. That awareness of keeping money 'working' instead of just sitting there was fundamental to some of my achievements during my eight years as treasurer," she said.

After serving as state treasurer she made several bids for lieutenant governor, and now she holds that office. "From day one in this job you understand that all 12 million citizens of Pennsylvania are your constituents. You are here to serve all generations, all ethnic groups, all geographic areas," she explained.

There are various groups that Knoll feels a special responsibility to and one of them is women [and girls]. "Any woman who attains a certain level of accomplishment inherits a duty to make it easier for those who follow. I'm very conscious that it took two centuries to get a woman into this office in Pennsylvania," she stated.

She offers this advice to women aspiring to political office:

• Jump into the deep end of the pool. If your political juices are flowing, go for it. Don't postpone tomorrow; prepare for it.
• Go to the drug store. Buy a lifetime supply of skin thickener, because you'll need it to withstand the barrage of criticism that goes with the territory.
• Take seriously your part in the legacy of women. The high court of history will salute those who weathered so many storms to help women achieve political equality.

Current Statewide Elective Executive Offices Held By Women:

In 2005, 89 women hold statewide elective executive offices across the country. This relates to 25.7 percent of the available positions. Among those women, there are 43 Republicans and 35 Democrats, and 3 were elected in nonpartisan races. Currently serving:

• Eight women as governors in 2005: six Republicans and two Democrats
• Fifteen women as Lieutenant Governors: nine Republicans and six Democrats
• Five as Attorney Generals: three Democrats and two Republicans
• Twelve as Secretary of State: seven Democrats and five Republicans
• Eight State Treasurers: Seven Republicans and one Democrat
• Seven as State Auditor: five Republicans and two Democrats
• Three as State Comptrollers: two Republicans and one Democrat
• Two as Chief Agricultural Officials: one Republican and one Democrat
• Ten Chief State Education Officials: five Democrats, two Republicans and three nonpartisan
• Two Commissioners of Insurance: one Democrat and one Republican
• Two Commissioners of Labor: two Republicans
• Two Corporation Commissioners: two Republicans
• Four Public Service Commissioners: two Democrats and two Republicans
• One Railroad Commissioner: one Republican

- Source: Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP).

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